The Hong Guang Mini EV overtook Tesla’s Model 3 as the world’s best-selling electric vehicle in January and February, which is no small feat for the relatively new hatchback. More than 36,000 of the tiny cars sold in January, compared to about 21,500 Model 3s, and Hong Guang sold just over 20,000 units last month, compared to just under 13,700 Tesla 3s.
The miniature vehicle is made under a joint partnership between Chinese state-owned SAIC Motor, Wuling Motors and American automaker General Motors, and is known locally simply as Wuling. The Hong Guang Mini EV is sold in China for only 28,800 yuan, or about $ 4,500. He claims to get 170 kilometers (approximately 106 miles) per load and can reach a top speed of 100 kilometers per hour or 62 miles per hour (so no drag racing on that thing). Its specifications include a wheelbase of 76.4 inches and is just under 115 inches long, 59 inches wide and about 64 inches tall. Its total weight is about 1,466 pounds.
In other words, he is tall, but thin. Still, the manufacturer claims that it can accommodate four people, and the rear seats can be folded if you need storage space. For something very small, probably.
Tesla’s entry-level 2021 model 3 EV, on the other hand, earns more than 250 miles per charge and its label price starts at just under $ 40,000. It has a wheelbase of 113 inches, is 185 inches long, 73 inches wide and about 57 inches high. The basic model 3 weighs about 3,500 pounds.
The Hong Guang Mini EV was launched last summer and was a surprising success, but it is still only sold in China. Some reports suggest that it can reach other markets, but the US is probably at the bottom of the list.
It’s cute, though.